It's the end of the week and you're feeling a little sluggish. You partied a little too much and…read moreyour body is aching from all that debauchery, too many drinks, too much bad food and so little sleep. So, you've made a promise to rest the entire weekend. Stay in, sleep early and eat well. While the first 2 things may come easily as your body feels like it has been run over by a fire truck, the 3rd one will only be done with some effort. So in order to achieve the 3rd task you go to the first store that comes to mind: Dizon Farms. Located at Market Market in BGC, it's a stall that has everything you'll ever need to live well. In it are arrays of fresh fruits and vegetables that will keep that little voice in your head very happy upon purchase. I come here often to stock up on fruits mainly because I make it a point to start my day with one. So if you're just a health nut like me or you're trying to recuperate from a crazy week, don't go to a fastfood joint, shop at Dizon Farms instead.

Known as the 'bagsakan' of produce coming from up north (Baguio, Cordillera, Tarlac, etc.), expect…read morethis place to have the cheapest produce in Manila. When I saw the prices of the food here, it was insane. Some are even 50% less than what I would usually pay for in supermarkets or palengkes here in the South. Sometimes even less actually! As far as variety goes, they have a plethora of vegetables and fruits to choose from, so it's hard not to go crazy as they're also as fresh as you can get here in the city. Don't expect Balintawak Market though to be all clean and safe--it's the kind of place where you really have to be careful with your bags and valuables. If you're vegetarian/vegan, it would be so perfect if you lived near this place. Sadly, I'm from the South and this place is just not practical enough for me to head to for my weekly stash of greens.

This small fruit and veggie stand is weathering this lockdown well. Sometimes there's a small line,…read morebut often, throughout the day there is none. When it's busy they limit 2 customers at a time, do a temp check and spritz your hands with alcohol; masks are mandatory. The fruits and veggies are in good condition except for some of their leafy vegetables which have insect holes; but they have multiple varieties to choose from, so pick the best. Keep an eye out for fruits and veggies not usually found locally: today they had broccoli and asparagus. They have some grocery items and imported condiments. My favorite brand of white bread (Gardenia) is often in stock. They have milk, eggs, meat and fresh herbs in their refrigerated section. I'm happy that the canned sodas are half the price of the ones at the grocery store down the street; but I'm sad that their fresh fruit juice stand is now closed. One of the staff will assist you with your shopping which makes things easier and faster to get out. They're cheaper than the grocery store and the bigger fruit and veggie stand further down.

It's ridiculous how many trips to work it took me to FINALLY notice this MECCA of veggie meat/mock…read moremeat! What lies inside this drab and discreet-looking establishment are actually freezers upon freezers of imported Taiwanese veggie meats and mock meats! I'm not talking about just 2 or 3 freezers--more like 8 to 10! From the usual "chicken" nuggets, ready-made burgers, and dried TVP (textured vegetable protein), to more unusual mock meat products such as veggie "shrimp", veggie "scallops", and stewed "mutton". It's amazing how there seems to be a very creative/strange/weird equivalent for most meats and seafood out there. My personal favorite is the sliced "fish" ham. Shaped like a fish steak with white meat, and seaweed "skin" wrapped around it. This place is a DREAM for any vegetarian or vegan (well, not the gluten-conscious and health food purists at least). Prices vary from cheap (below Php 100) to pricey (Php 250+) per pack, but with the overwhelming variety, it's really difficult NOT to hoard so it's wise to bring a lot of cash. Though, if you're vegan, do take note that some products have albumin, whey, etc. so don't go too crazy and still check your labels. They also have some dried mushrooms, vegetarian/vegan stir-fry sauces, Magic Meat (locally manufactured brand of TVP), and other veggie ingredients. If you're transitioning into vegetarianism or veganism, mock meats really help you ease into it faster.

Justine E. gave good info in her review. This place has so many options for frozen vege foods…read more This store is important because many Filipinos are not willing to make the jump from a heavy meat diet to a completely meatless diet. This store offers so many fish, pork, mutton, shrimp, chicken, hotdog alternatives that make it easier for a heavy meat eater to substitute meat products. If you need a store that supplies fake meat options to convince your friends, family, and neighbors to substitute meat this is a helpful store. Unfortunately they have almost no advertising and I only learned about this place by word of mouth. It never turned up on any searches for vegan/vegetarian food in Manila :( Only 5 min walk from Quirino LRT station at the intersection of San Marcelino and Quirino. It does not look like a store from the outside and when you walk in the door it's just huge freezers full of frozen vege food.

As a vegan, I'm always on the look-out for anything "green-looking" that might offer me some…read moreoptions. I was happy to have spotted Tossed, a new salad and wrap joint at the 2nd floor food court of SM Mall of Asia. They offer a small selection of Asian destination-inspired salads (which you can also get as a wrap, at no extra cost!) And, if you prefer to have your meal without meat, you get Php 10 off your bill! I personally wish all veg-friendly places would offer this discount! If you're one of those people who find customizing your toppings and dressings just too darn tedious, then this is your place, as you won't get an existential crisis while trying to figure out your meal. Though, to put it plainly, this place is ideal for someone who wants to sneak in some veggies in their diet but still have the excuse to eat unhealthy, oily, and meaty stuff at the same time--some of their ingredients include adobo chicken flakes, roasted barbecued pork, and chicharon among others. In a way this can be a good thing, as it makes salad-eating more accessible to heavy meat eaters and junk foodies. But, if you're looking for a salad packed with all the quality, healthy, nutrient-packed good stuff, sadly this is not your joint. As for vegan options, there are only around 2 or 3, as their dressings mostly have some form of seafood, honey, or dairy (and they won't even allow you to replace it with the vegan-friendly dressing!). Currently they're on soft opening, so my meal took quite a while as their staff was doing a mini guessing game with the toppings. I got the Korea wrap without the beef bulgogi (Php 140), which has a kimchi dressing--quite like a bibimbap without rice and egg. My wrap turned out not as satisfying or punched with flavor as I had hoped for it to be (granted that I had the beef removed-but they do welcome no-meat options, which means their food must feel 'complete' without the meat). With more options and flexibility, this place has some great potential.

No passport required if you wanna tour around Asia via Tossed. They'll bring you to places…read moresurrounding Philippines in just a click of your palate. Clever salad names like - Philippines, Japan, China, Korea, Thailand, Mang Ceasar and Asian fat free - that gives you idea on what you'll get in your salad. What we tried was Thailand - house mix greens, cilantro, crunch on top, cucumber, pomelo, basil and vermicelli. Dressing is thai shrimp paste-chilli lime. For protein, they've added grilled shrimp. Prices are worthy and proportion to the serving size. Minus P10 if you want it meatless. Salads can be served either on a bowl or wraps. Definitely something worth to try!

Super fresh meats, fish and seafood and chicken. Also vegetables are very fresh with a great…read moreselection. Prices are fair and competitive. A fairly clean wet market. Cooked foods and desserts are very good to great.

One of the cleanest markets that I've been to that is situated in metro manila specifically in…read moreQuezon City. I love how they cater to different needs of the buyers. But I love their food stalls the one facing Dapitan Arcade. This is where I buy big bilaos of California maki at a very affordable price. Their small bilao will cost P200-300 good for family size and the biggest bilao ranges from P750-800 only and can feed almost 25 people. There are also some stalls selling Filipino dishes and kakanin good for to go. The only that's hassle is here is when during peak hours it is hard to find parking because of traffic and a portion of the lot is allotted to shuttle services. The best time to come in is 10AM after all the hustle and bustle are done and all the food stores are open.

I've always loved the idea of buying local ingredients and Abe's Homestead is a great example of a…read moresmall scale farm that produces high quality organic vegetables. A lot of the products we buy in the commercial supermarkets or groceries aren't always of the best quality. Yes, they are displayed nicely and look so colorful and attractive but don't let looks deceive you! So many of the fresh produce we buy nowadays are just laced with so much chemicals that they can withstand storage and transport for many weeks. Heck, I've personally been able to purchase some supposedly fresh produce and seen them last more than two weeks in my fridge without getting spoiled or moldy. Its scary to think about putting that in my body and I am a firm believer and advocate of consuming clean food and less of the processed items. Fresh produce such as salad greens (butternut, romaine, fanfare), kale, arugula, eggplant, coriander, chilies, mushrooms, and many other seasonal produce are available. The farm is located outside of Metro Manila but there are pick up points in New Manila or option for delivery (with a fee). I always say that it is important to support the local businesses and this is definitely one of those businesses I'd like to see grow and find more people to support. The quality of their produce are very good, tasty, and nutritionally complete!

If you're not from the South, you're probably unfamiliar with the other "image" of BF Homes, which…read moreis actually a growing, mini Korea-town. Ever since our friends from Korea have started relocating here in the village, more and more Korean establishments have been popping up all over BF. I used to live in here and I have experienced what feels like an "invasion"--Scenario: 9pm, a group of around 8-10 Koreans, marching on the street while doing arm exercises! Also, I do get an occasional "Annyeong!" from some shopkeepers who think I'm Korean, thanks to my haircut (square bob with bangs--a popular Korean girl haircut). Anyway, this "invasion" isn't necessarily a bad thing, and we have learned to embrace and accept their culture. As I've mentioned, they've built a whole Korea town here. You can find good Korean beauty salons, bars, restaurants, schools, and of course grocers. The biggest one is Korean Hypermart. Korean Hypermart has what typical Korean grocers would have, so expect all the kimchi, seaweed, frozen dumplings, Lotte stuff, the ever popular fish ice cream and so on. But what I do find special about this Hypermart is that they have a produce section with imported veggies from Korea (and may also be from other countries). And, I think this is perfectly understandable. If I were a Korean expat, I would prefer produce grown from my homeland for the most authentic-tasting Korean dishes.

Great experience and awesome customer service. A lot of seafood options and it's fresh.read more

If you want a seafood feast, you choose the right place. You get to pick your own seafood to be…read morecooked (also vegetables) and pick a restaurant and even how you would all of the dishes to be cooked (grilled, sautéed, pan fried, with or without sauce). If that's too much of a responsibility. You can also choose on the menu with the pre-made dishes. The seafood are literally fresh because it was bought 15 seconds away from the restaurant kitchen. It's definitely an experience since I have not seen it be done in USA or Europe. In Asia, yes. The restaurants are very nice and air conditioned. You can have a small date or bring your whole family. They can accommodate. The customer service in the restaurants are always top notch. And the food will not disappoint. Also did I mention all of this for less than $150.